Which diet to try?

[kennygirl]

Whose tried the 5:2 diet? I had a go but without much success. Must be doing something wrong cos I have heard many successful stories! Any suggestions anyone? Or shall I try another one?

[vandame]

I have lost nearly 3 stone on the 5:2 diet I found that it worked for me. My problem has always been portion control so I use MyFitnessPal app which is free and available on PC, Phone Tablet with digital scales at home and in the office. the app also has a bar code reader feature so there is no excuse not to know exactly how many calories you are eating and more importantly drinking, fruit juices, fruit yoghurt flavoured water are amazingly high in calories. when you only have to be really disciplined on 2 days a week it can be very motivational as if you want something that is high in calories you can tell yourself that you can have them on the next day.

I have found that I start my first 500 calorie day at noon on Sunday finishing at noon on Monday this means that when I am at my most hungry time I am in fact sleeping, the second day I start on Thursday noon to Friday noon.

The 5:2 is very flexible so what ever works for you. The Fast Diet book was also helpful and if you do not wish to buy you can lend from the library.

The most amazing thing is that I lost my weight last year and 1 year later I am still at my goal weight with just the occasional Fast day.

This year I have increased my fitness also logging my activity on MyFitnessPal so this may be the reason for the success so far this year.

Best of luck on your journey.

[Jsports in reply to vandame]

Those who keep journals are 90% more likely to lose weight...okay I admit I don't know the % on this one but the statement is correct haha. I'm loving myfitnesspal rly good app.

[irene62]

i was on the 5;2 diet and i lost 2 stone it works we for me to i came off it at the the moment i am just starting back on it had some problems was of it for a while i felt so much better on it just keep going u will get there

[gingernut49 in reply to irene62]

The best part about 5:2 is that once you've lost the weight you want to you just 'fast' one day a week to maintain. I make sure I weigh myself every Saturday morning so I know whether to do 5:2 or 6:1 the next week.

[kennygirl in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks gingernut49 for the support, I start on Monday, so keep it coming!

[kennygirl in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks gingernut49 for the support, I start on Monday, so keep it coming!

[Diana]

I could never do it, cutting 500 cals a day works for me, well 700 aat the mo, as trying to shift the last few pounds, it all adds up to the same thing!

Some will argue they find it easier this way the 5.2 way, personally every day makes a difference to me, as one of the other posts said, portion size is a must, maybe you are eating too much on your non 5.2 days or overeating on these days.

Good luck whatever journey you decide to take!

[Diana]

I could never do it, cutting 500 cals a day works for me, well 700 aat the mo, as trying to shift the last few pounds, it all adds up to the same thing!

Some will argue they find it easier this way the 5.2 way, personally every day makes a difference to me, as one of the other posts said, portion size is a must, maybe you are eating too much on your non 5.2 days or overeating on these days.

Good luck whatever journey you decide to take!

[Jsports in reply to Diana]

300-500 calorie cuts work for everybody so long as they are measuring their food and portion sizes. If it don't work then your eating the wrong amount of calories. I'm on a 800 calorie cut but I was starting to feel a Littleton drained so I'm back to 500 cut again...last 2 weeks iv felt amazing. 5 gym session cardio everyday weights mon,wed,fri. My food does cover so many different sources though so I'm sure it's also what I'm eating that has made me come alive like when I was 17 :).

I personally don't get the 5:2 diet it is something I want to be studying in nutrition next year so I'm sure it will come up so no expert on it yet....but I just can't see why fasting for 2 days can be a good idea...you need carbs to burn fat so if you fast, then your body goes into starvation and yr ability to burn fat will cease as your body's aim is to store and preserve systems to maintain energy....this is definetly something I will read up on though in the coming months so many people are doing it and it just doesn't seem right. Like some peoe have stones to lose not a few pounds...is this even healthy to main for 8-12 weeks what about 6months...12 months. Would love to get stuck into some journal articles by reputable scientists r.e this subject....October can't come quick enough

[gingernut49 in reply to Jsports]

Do watch the original BBC Horizon programme that started it off bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b...

The two days are non-consecutive so your body doesn't go into 'starvation mode' (and it's debatable whether there is such a thing).

This little video explains briefly what it's about youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

[gingernut49]

Did you ever see this little video? youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

The 5:2 Diet is the first ever diet for me where I've lost the weight, three stone, and kept it off since April 2013. I was so impressed by the Horizon programme that aired two years ago bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b... and if you've never watched that then please do.

Why do you think you weren't successful? It is important obviously not to go mad on your non-fasting days as that wastes your fasting day efforts. MyFitnessPal is an essential tool!

[RMB398 in reply to gingernut49]

Hi there gingernut49

I was just wondering how many calories you limit yourself to on your non fast days - when you are wanting to lose weight as apposed to maintain. I'm already a convert to MFP.

cheers

Ruth

[gingernut49 in reply to RMB398]

Hi Ruth, you need to stay under your TDEE on non-fasting days for best results. I'm on the train at the mo but if you google TDEE there's a calculator on the Fast Diet page that's very good.

[kennygirl]

Thanks for all the hints and tips. I am way with the family this week, but am taking the opportunity to study the diet etc to get a better understanding of it and shall start in earnest on Monday! I know it can work as my brother has done amazingly well! I need to get focused! And I will!

[gingernut49 in reply to kennygirl]

You can pm me any time.